The forced air cavity and control system for watercraft provides a source of compressed air against the hull, the compressed air being distributed via a pivotally adjustable air scoop mounted proximate the front of the boat, to which is connected a series of conduits (air passageways) leading downwardly from the housing. The conduits exit at openings in a V-shaped step in the hull of the watercraft to emit high pressure air against the hull to thereby reduce friction caused by hull contact with the water. A hydraulic ram operably connected to the air scoop provides a means of pivotal adjustment. A plurality of ice runners is provided on the bottom of the watercraft to increase stability of control under reduced water friction conditions.
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19. A forced air cavity and control system for a watercraft, comprising:
a housing defining an air chamber adapted for mounting atop the watercraft;
an air scoop pivotally attached to the air chamber, the air scoop adjustably pivoting to regulate a flow rate of air into the air chamber when the watercraft is in motion;
a columnar brace reinforcing attachment of the air chamber and air scoop to the watercraft
at least one air passageway connected to the air chamber; and
at least one V-shaped step defined in a hull of the watercraft, the step having at least one air outlet port defined therein, the air passageway extending to the air outlet port, the V-shaped step being formed by two legs;
wherein air entering the scoop is ejected from the air outlet port, the ejected air reducing drag on the hull of the watercraft.
10. A watercraft having a forced air cavity system, the watercraft comprising:
a boat having a bow, a hull, and a stern;
a plurality of elongate ice runners extending longitudinally below the hull;
a housing defining an air chamber atop the boat;
an air scoop pivotally attached to the housing, the air scoop adjustably pivoting to regulate a flow rate of air into the air chamber when the watercraft is in motion;
at least one air passageway connected to the air chamber;
at least one V-shaped step defined in a hull of the watercraft, the step having at least one air outlet port defined therein, the air passageway extending to the air outlet port, the V-shaped step being formed by two legs;
a water drain disposed in a floor of the air chamber; and
a tube connected to the water drain, the tube leading to the air passageway and providing suction to drain excess water from the air chamber.
1. A forced air cavity and control system for a watercraft, comprising:
a housing defining an air chamber adapted for mounting atop the watercraft;
an air scoop pivotally attached to the air chamber, the air scoop adjustably pivoting to regulate a flow rate of air into the air chamber when the watercraft is in motion;
at least one air passageway connected to the air chamber;
at least one V-shaped step defined in a hull of the watercraft, the step having at least one air outlet port defined therein, the air passageway extending to the air outlet port, the V-shaped step being formed by two legs;
at least one actuator connected to the air scoop, the actuator being extendable and retractable to adjustably open and close said air scoop; and
an actuator control switch operably connected to the at least one actuator;
wherein air entering the scoop is ejected from the air outlet port, the ejected air reducing drag on the hull of the watercraft.
2. The forced air cavity and control system according to
3. The forced air cavity and control system for watercraft according to
4. The forced air cavity and control system for watercraft according to
5. The forced air cavity and control system for watercraft according to
6. The forced air cavity and control system for watercraft according to
a water drain disposed in a floor of the air chamber;
a tube connected to the water drain, the tube leading to the air passageway and providing suction to drain excess water from the air chamber.
7. The forced air cavity and control system for watercraft according to
8. The forced air cavity and control system for watercraft according to
9. The forced air cavity and control system for watercraft according to
11. The watercraft according to
12. The watercraft according to
13. The watercraft according to
14. The watercraft according to
at least one actuator connected to the air scoop, the actuator being extendable and retractable to adjustably open and close said air scoop;
an actuator control switch operably connected to the at least one actuator.
15. The watercraft according to
17. The watercraft according to
18. The watercraft according to
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This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/314,321 filed Dec. 8, 2008.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to watercraft design and construction, and particularly to a forced air cavity and control system for watercraft that reduces friction against the hull of the watercraft as it moves through the water, increasing speed and fuel efficiency.
2. Description of the Related Art
Boats are used both for transportation and for water sports and other leisure-time activities. Both the boat's speed and fuel efficiency are a matter of concern to most boaters. The hull can encounter considerable drag as it moves through the water, decreasing the boat's speed and requiring more power to maintain a desired speed, thereby increasing fuel consumption. Naval architects and designers of pleasure craft can reduce the magnitude of the problem to some extent by careful design of the shape of the hull and the choice of materials.
Nevertheless, due to the rising costs of fuel and the desire of sportsmen for increasing the speed of their boats, there is a demand for other measures for decreasing the drag between the hull and the water.
Thus, a forced air cavity and control system for watercraft solving the aforementioned problems is desired.
The forced air cavity and control system for watercraft provides a source of compressed air against the hull, the compressed air being distributed by a pivotally adjustable air scoop mounted proximate the front of the boat, to which is connected a series of conduits (air passageways) leading downwardly from the housing. The conduits exit at openings in a V-stepped external portion of the lower hull of the watercraft to emit high pressure air against the hull in order to reduce friction caused by hull contact with the water.
A hydraulic ram, which is operably connected to the air scoop, provides for pivotal adjustment of airflow. A plurality of ice runners may be provided on the bottom of the watercraft to increase stability of control under reduced water friction conditions.
These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
In general, the pump 948 is adapted to either extend or retract the air scoop 610, pistons 597 being attached thereto. For example, the pump 948 may be a dual rotation motor, which can rotate in either direction to apply pressure to lines 946 and 947, or alternatively, to apply negative gauge pressure thereto. As most clearly shown in
The up/down toggle switch 956 is a rocker type switch, which is normally open, and works to switch voltage originating from power line 990 to operate the valves and the pump for activating the hydraulic rams 600, thereby raising/lowering air scoop 610. While two independent switches could be used to control each of the rams 600, the single up/down rocker style toggle switch 956 ensures simultaneous engagement of both rams 600 in the same direction for stable extension/retraction operation of air scoop 610. Instead of hydraulic rams, the control system may use a pneumatic control system with an air compressor and pneumatic cylinders, if desired.
When the watercraft B is not in motion, the hydraulic rams 600 can be commanded via hydraulic control switch 956 to completely extend the pistons 597 to place the pivotally adjustable air scoop 610 in its upwardmost position. As the watercraft B moves forward, air pressure due to increasing air intake at air scoop 610 builds up within the system 10, specifically within the air delivery ducts 20. The high pressure air flows through the delivery ducts 20 and escapes under the craft at outlet ports 22 to thereby release the craft of considerable water friction. The ice runners 35 at the bottom of watercraft B act as control surfaces, containing the air to provide the watercraft B with increased agility and control while maintaining lower water friction operation of the craft B. After the airflow has achieved a more or less steady state, and the watercraft picks up more speed, the pivotally adjustable air scoop 610 can be retracted by the hydraulic control system to an optimal performance position for a given speed desired by operator of watercraft B. Speed, fuel efficiency and agility of the watercraft are thus improved by operation of the forced air cavity and control system.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
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